How to Clean Eyeglasses

After making a significant financial investment in a pair of eyeglasses, be sure to take good care of them. The glasses will last longer and serve you better if you keep them clean and in good repair. Here are some ways to properly clean eyeglasses, and how to care for them in order to prolong their life.

While most lenses are made of plastic, you still will need to be careful when cleaning them. Depending on how dirty they are, use either a wet or dry cleaning method. If the glasses are just slightly dusty, use a dry, lint-free cloth to gently wipe the front and back of each lens. Dirtier eyeglasses, or those with sticky residue on them, will need a more thorough washing with soap and water.

Run warm water over each lens, front and back. Carefully run a small amount of mild hand soap over the lenses. Rinse immediately with warm water, and repeat if necessary. Dry with a soft towel or, if you don’t need to wear the glasses right away, leave them on a flat surface to dry.

Eyeglass cleaners and sprays are available for those who prefer them. Some of these are designed to be used with a dry cloth, and others are to be used in place of hand soap when washing glasses under running water. An optician can give you more information and a recommendation about these products.
When cleaning eyeglasses, be sure not to distort or bend the frames or nosepieces. Certain types of metal frames, especially those made of thin wire, are easily bent. If you do accidentally bend them and can’t easily fix them, take them to an optician as soon as possible for repair.

Each time you clean your glasses, check the screws that hold the frame together. Sometimes they become loose, and it is much easier to tighten a screw than it is to find it after it falls out. Use a very small screwdriver to tighten any screws that become loose. If it is a recurring problem, see an optician for a larger screw. Another option is to use a small drop of clear nail polish to seal the screw in place. This is not a permanent solution, but should last at least a couple of weeks until you are able to see an eye care specialist.

When putting eyeglasses down, do not rest them on the lenses. This will scratch them, and it is difficult to see through scuffed and scratched lenses. If you do get a small, shallow scratch on a lens, ask an optician about using a polishing kit to buff the scratch out. They are not recommended for lenses with certain coatings, so ask before using and follow all directions to avoid harming the glasses. If you notice a deep scratch, see an optician for a replacement lens.

With proper cleaning and care, eyeglasses should last several years. Just a few minutes each day to clean and examine them will be worth the effort to prolong the life of your glasses.